A BRONZE 'THREE RAMS' VASE QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

of archaistic zun form, cast with an ovoid body rising to a waisted neck and flared rim, all supported on a splayed foot, the shoulders set with three handles cast in the form of stylised rams' heads, the patinated bronze surface of a dark chocolate-brown colour

As visible in the catalogue photo, there are dents and bruises to the exterior of the vessel. Oxidisation and general surface wear.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The attraction of the vessel relies on the beauty of the shape, the refinement of the design, and the very fine patination. Ulrich Hausmann has suggested that the vase may date to as early as the 15th century, but closely comparable forms in porcelain suggest it may date to the 18th century. 

For a Yongzheng reign-marked celadon-glazed porcelain ‘three rams’ vase of closely related form, see the example sold in these rooms, 8th October 2006, lot 1014 and again 8th October 2009, lot 1632, where the catalogue noted that vases of this design appear to have been introduced in the Yongzheng period, but are extremely rare with Yongzheng or Qianlong reign marks. A line drawing of this form is included among Yongzheng shapes in Geng Baochang, Ming Qing ciqi jianding, Hong Kong, 1993, p.235, fig.401: 13, where it is called sanxicun ('vase of three beasts of uniform colour'), referring to the kind of animals used in ritual offerings. A Yongzheng as well as a Qianlong example with a Ru type glaze are in the National Palace Museum, Taiwan, the former included in the Illustrated Catalogue of Ch'ing Dynasty Porcelain in the National Palace Museum: K'ang-hsi Ware and Yung-cheng Ware, Tokyo, 1980, pl.129, the latter in the Museum's exhibition catalogue Qingdai danseyou ciqi / Special Exhibition of Ch'ing Dynasty Monochrome Porcelains in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1989, cat. no. 88.  

The ram is a traditional emblem of good luck, since the Chinese term for ram (or goat), yang, is a homophone of yang, (sun), and represents the male or positive principle in the yin-yang duality. The Chinese character for ram is also used as a variant for a similar character pronounced xiang, which means happiness. Three rams, san yang, are considered a particularly auspicious symbol, evoking the expression san yang kai tai, the awakening of nature in spring, which signifies good luck and happiness. San yang shen are the three yang spirits in Daoism, the 'original spirit', the 'spirit that knows', and the 'real spirit'.